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An artistic child, Krista Nugent took an interest in fashion and beauty from a young age. She enrolled in a makeup artistry course when she finished high school. She continued her beauty education with an esthetics course, but she wasn't sure if she'd like it.

"I was happily surprised to discover not only that I enjoyed it, but also how much of the course was centered around wellness and balance of the body -- instead of just the surface appearance," she says. After getting some work experience in spas, she opened her own business. She's just 22 years old -- but she's already a success.

"I am a creative person by nature, but I also love to educate. The job definitely has me utilizing these passions daily," says Nugent.

There are many challenges for estheticians, especially those who run their own business. Nugent says she always has a lot on her mind. She considers the client's needs. She always tries to make the treatment better, more effective, memorable and relaxing. She is concerned about any possible allergies or reactions the client might have.

"You need to have a good memory and developed understanding of everything you do and how it can affect your client, says Nugent.

Building a relationship with the client is important in the personal care business. Estheticians need to have a caring, positive attitude. Because they are part of the beauty industry, the personal appearance of estheticians is important. It is important for them to keep up with the trends in fashion and especially new procedures and products in skin care.

One trend Gerald Mari has noticed is that metropolitan males are beginning to realize the value of looking good. He is an esthetician and spa practitioner in a large city. He performs body care, skin care, makeup application, nail care and massage.

"People are starting to realize that beauty is not just for women," he says. Being a man in a female-dominated industry has been both a benefit and a hindrance for Mari. Men prefer going to another man for esthetic services such as hair removal. He says it's the same as how men go to barbers for a haircut.

But women are still the majority of clients for estheticians. And some women don't feel comfortable being touched by a man. Mari says some salon owners prefer to hire female estheticians for this reason. This can make it difficult for a man starting out in the spa industry.

"Human touch is very personal. I can't always touch their feet right away. It's very private," he explains.

Touching feet is one the best things about Amy Lee's job. She loves performing pedicures.

"People ask me all the time why, and it is because a lot of people hate their feet and think they are gross or ugly. Well, when I give them a pedicure they walk out loving their feet and commenting on how pretty or cute they are. I love it," says Lee. She is an esthetician with her own traveling spa business.

Lee gets a lot of satisfaction out of helping people look and feel their best. But the work is physically taxing. She is often on her feet. There is a lot of bending involved. But the hardest part of the job is doing 60- to 90-minute massages.

"It is hard on your back and takes a lot out of you. You really have to love what you do to put that energy into another person," says Lee. Despite the backache, she encourages those who are honest and trustworthy with great people skills and compassion to try this line of work.

"At the end of the day I get a great sense of pride and satisfaction because of what I do," says Lee.

Alyssa Rammacher works as an esthetician for a busy salon in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her biggest challenge at work is staying on schedule. There are back-to-back appointments all day.

"If you run behind or somebody shows up late, then that could throw you off for the rest of the day. It is a challenge to make up time and still provide a quality service," she says.

After working as a journalist and then a buyer for an investment company, Rammacher decided she wanted a change of pace. "A friend who is a cosmetologist told me about becoming an esthetician. I thought it sounded very interesting and exciting, so I went to school and got my license," she says.

She started work at a medical spa, but she wasn't making very much money. She moved to a smaller spa closer to home, but the money still wasn't there. Her current location is very busy, so the money has improved.

"I think that it is hard to get started and build up a client base. If making a lot of money right away is not important to you, then I think it is a very fun career," says Rammacher. "I really like working with people and making them happy. I also take pride in the quality of my work and enjoy sharing that with my clients."

Debra Heinsohn has been building her client base since 1981. Now her days run like a well-oiled machine. She rarely breaks for lunch. She owns her skin care business. She is president of companies that manufacture and sell light therapy equipment. Light therapy is the application of light energy to the skin for therapeutic benefits.

"It has been my great joy to watch people grow and change as their skins have improved. At times it has amazed me that I have had any part in changing or improving their appearance, but I have. I always look forward to the next person I will be able to help," says Heinsohn.

She performs extractions of impurities from the skin on 90 percent of her clients.. She does this through exfoliations with chemical acids. She also does microdermabrasion, a very popular procedure. In microdermabrasion, cells are removed to reduce scarring and improve the overall appearance of the skin.

In addition, Heinsohn says the industry is becoming more high tech with the addition of other services, like the use of micro-currents to tone and firm the muscles, and intense LED light therapy.

LED light therapy aims to smooth, plump, reduce irritation, reduce acne, reduce rosacea, and hydrate the skin bringing back a youthful appearance to her clients. Light is changing the face of this field, says Heinsohn. She's excited to be a part of these changes.

Although her techniques and skills offer a fountain of youth to her customers, she says the job is not glamorous. "But with perseverance and hard work, you can be anything and there are no limits. My industry has always had a tremendously high turnover rate. When you do succeed in this business it is pretty awesome," she says.

And her career has been pretty awesome for her. "I have had the opportunity to learn, grow, train, teach, author, create, invent and serve others. All in one career," says Heinsohn.